Wedding Planning

Five North East beaches to consider for your engagement shoot

In the North East we're absolutely spoilt for beaches. As the narrowest point of the country, nowhere in the North is ever really that far from the coast. Over the years, beach engagement shoots have been unquestionably the most popular kind with my couples. There's something undeniably appealing about a long stretch of coastline and the wild waves of the North Sea. As Northerners, we know that beaches aren't just for summer which my couples have proved, planning their pre-wedding photoshoots across all seasons. Here I've aimed to give a little round up of some of my favourite spots for your beach-based pics.

Tynemouth & Whitley Bay

Yes perhaps this is obvious but I couldn't make a list without mentioning this ever popular stretch. Tynemouth and Whitley Bay are home to some the best 'urban' beaches the region has to offer. Not only are there beautiful stretches of golden sand along Longsands and Whitley Bay beach (perfect for dreamy strolling shots across the horizon), but there are also the smaller coves of King Edward's Bay and Cullercoats (to name a couple) which have slightly different offerings with their rocky structures and more sheltered and intimate feel. Yes these are super popular spots but there's good reason for this. To make the most of this area, get down there just after dawn, take a stroll along your chosen beach and then head back up into town or take in the sights along the promenade. Tynemouth Priory is a beautiful backdrop for some romantic sea-gazing shots, as are the lighthouses. You could even ditch the sand all together and opt for the rock pools and walkway lining the path to St Mary's. Mix up your locations by grabbing an ice cream from Di Meo's and taking to the arcade afterwards for some colourful and casual pics, or make the most of the historic station in Tynemouth. If you're there at a weekend go treasure hunting in the market or just retire to one of the cafes on front street for an iced latte or hot chocolate, depending on the season!

Drudge Bay

A very popular spot with my couples, this beach shows off exactly what the Northumberland coast has to offer. With endless stretches of sand and grassy dunes, this beach is a lot more remote and rural than somewhere like Tynemouth. Its pristine beaches have made it a common choice for engagement shoots, and the results are always beautiful. Just North East of Morpeth, it's location means you can get a true Northumbrian feel without being too far from the city, the drive from Newcastle being only a little over half an hour. Drudge Bay itself doesn't have any facilities or cafes but it is only a short journey up the coast from Cresswell which is home to the Drift Cafe. Top idea for Drudge Bay: pack yourself an aesthetic picnic and make it seasonal. Bubbly, strawberries and pastries for spring/summer and flasks of hot chocolate and cosy blankets for the cooler weather.

Sugar Sands

This beach is one of Northumberland's best kept secrets. It also has the best name. This sweet stretch of coastline was completely unknown to me until one of my couples took me there recently. Getting to Sugar Sands is a bit of an adventure too. To find the beach you have to follow a farm track and actually go through a set of farm gates which will make you feel like you're trespassing (you're not, it's fine) before popping out near the beach and nearby car park. The stunning and relatively uninhabited beaches are worth the journey. Once you've reached the beach you'll find classic golden sands, rock pools and tracks running up to the grassy farmland above. Sugar Sands is also only a few minutes drive to Longhoughton village where you'll conveniently find one branch of Northumberland favourite The Running Fox - perfect for a post-shoot lunch or afternoon tea!

Marsden Beach

We're jumping south down the coastline now to Marsden. For anyone located south of the Tyne this might be a great option! Unlike the sandier stretches further up the coast, Marsden is a beautiful grey-beige pebble beach. Easily accessible from Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, the real selling point of this location is the well known Marsden Rock. This outcrop can be a dramatic feature to your waterside portraits and is also home to hundred of sea birds which can be a real scene-setting addition to your shoot. Take a stroll along the pebbles and explore the rocky caves before heading back up the cliffs. The famous red and white Souter Lighthouse is only a short walk down the coastal path and can be a brilliant second location for photos (there's also a cafe inside - very important!).

Bamburgh

Bamburgh's coastline needs no real introduction. Around an hour north of Newcastle, its vast sandy expanse is world-famous and award-winning and runs right up to the even more well known Bamburgh Castle. Park in town and make your way past the cricket pavilion and through the dunes to the beach, make the most of the beautiful and imposing castle as your backdrop and take a stroll along the wide flat sands. Make sure you take time to stroll around the village too, the castle towers over the whole area and can be seen very well from the main street. Take a minute to stop beside the red phone box for some snaps and admire the view. You can't go wrong!